Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Parent University

Second Presenter's Institution

Parent University

Third Presenter's Institution

Parent University

Fourth Presenter's Institution

NA

Fifth Presenter's Institution

NA

Strand #1

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Strand #2

Home: Family & Community Engagement

Relevance

For 20+ years in Savannah, Georgia, Parent University has successfully enhanced the ability of families to create an environment in which learning thrives for both children and parents (both "Head" and "Home" strands are relevant). When the pandemic closed schools and disrupted normal programming, Parent University immediately pivoted to online programming to continue connecting families with relevant education, resources and support throughout this time of need. The pandemic also exposed a huge gap in technology and education. Therefore, Parent University is working to close that gap with our new Tech College at Parent University.

Brief Program Description

For 20+ years in Savannah, Georgia, Parent University has successfully enhanced the ability of families to create an environment in which learning thrives for both children and parents. When the pandemic closed schools and disrupted normal programming, Parent University immediately pivoted to online programming to continue connecting families with relevant education, resources and support throughout this time of need. The pandemic also exposed a huge gap in technology and education. Therefore, Parent University is working to close that gap with our new Tech College at Parent University.

Summary

Parent University is a community collaborative that provides opportunities and nurtures environments for parents to invest in themselves and their children. The organization gives attendees the environment, confidence, encouragement and competence to enhance and improve individuals, families, neighborhoods and communities. Over the last 20 years, Parent University (Savannah, GA) has focused on engaged "parent-centric" education on a multi-generational basis resulting in poverty reduction, health and wellness improvement, public safety progress, and neighborhood vitality. Parent University offers workshop sessions and experiential learning on a wide range of topics, including public safety, civic leadership, health and wellness, academic support for students, juvenile delinquency, child and adolescent development, employment, entrepreneurship, financial awareness, environmental safety, recycling, communication, healthy relationships, and information on resources available to support families. Parent University operates with a well-crafted network of community partners and instructors. Experienced professionals in the private and public sectors facilitate all activities. In addition, partners provide information and resource booths to address diet, cardio-vascular health, nutrition, employment opportunities, child and adolescent programs, and many more. Parent University engages law enforcement and human service partners to share information on preventing juvenile violence, recognizing gang activities, and offer resources and support to parents and guardians.

This has created a base membership that attends events throughout the year, culminating a graduation ceremony annually. For the 2019/2020 school year, Parent University celebrated 294 graduates (total persons served for all events was 6891, including 1775 children).

When the pandemic closed schools and disrupted normal programming, Parent University immediately pivoted to online programming to continue connecting families with relevant education, resources and support throughout this time of need. Programming was extended throughout the month of May to include mental health education and resources, homeschooling education, and COVID-related health information from local doctors. The pandemic also exposed a huge gap in technology and education. Therefore, Parent University is working to close that gap with our new Tech College at Parent University. This successful and proven model has brought Parent University international recognition. Parent University is launching in other cities, including Pensacola and Chicago.

Evidence

Attached

Learning Objectives

  • A "parent-centric" model creates a feeling of ownership and community.
  • Having a multi-generational focus - children, parents, and grandparents - leads to greater success for families to embrace learning.

Biographical Sketch

Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA., Michael O'Neal has lived in Savannah since 1974. He and his lovely wife, Jo-Nell, married in 1976. They are the proud parents of three sons and a daughter, three daughters-in-law, and 10 grandchildren. He is a founder and the Executive Director of Parent University, which recently merged with Savannah Early Childhood Foundation. He has been the chief steward of this grassroots, community-based program since its inception in Savannah in 1999.

Keyword Descriptors

Parent University, pandemic, connecting, families, learning, education, parent, invest

Presentation Year

2021

Start Date

3-10-2021 10:05 AM

End Date

3-10-2021 11:05 AM

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Mar 10th, 10:05 AM Mar 10th, 11:05 AM

Connecting Families and Continued Learning Through COVID-19

For 20+ years in Savannah, Georgia, Parent University has successfully enhanced the ability of families to create an environment in which learning thrives for both children and parents. When the pandemic closed schools and disrupted normal programming, Parent University immediately pivoted to online programming to continue connecting families with relevant education, resources and support throughout this time of need. The pandemic also exposed a huge gap in technology and education. Therefore, Parent University is working to close that gap with our new Tech College at Parent University.